The Russians are Laughing?

I was sent this from a friend. Even if it’s not totally true, it’s eye opening. America, we’re too young to die.

It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.

Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.

First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their “right” to choke down a McDonalds burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our “democracy”. Pride blind the foolish.

Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different “branches and denominations” were for the most part little more than Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top protestant mega preachers were more than happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the “winning” side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the “winning” side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America .

The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America ‘s short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Wiemar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe .

These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?

These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bail out after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more than a whimper to their masters.

Then came Barack Obama’s command that GM’s (General Motor) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of “pure” free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.

So it should be no surprise, that the American president has followed this up with a “bold” move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantee of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less than two months ago, warned Obama and UK ‘s Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing, as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our “wise” Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.

Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper…but a “freeman” whimper.

So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democratically controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulation that would give the American Treasury department the power to set “fair” maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Franks, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.

The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left.

The proud American will go down into his slavery without a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.

God, Man and the Bible

This week my daughter in-law expressed an interest in knowing more about God. She’s a new believer, so I brought along a lesson we went through in our Sunday school class in church, called “God, Man and the Bible.” It’s written by Steve Raemisch, our associate pastor.

I’ve been going through it so I was prepared to take our family through it and I must say it’s so amazing. It’s amazing that God’s Word has survived throughout the centuries. It’s a amazing that the story of original has been preserved. It’s amazing that even before the foundations of time, God had His plan of salvation all laid out for sinful man. It’s amazing that God gives it FREELY to us and it’s nothing we can do to earn it. It’s amazing that he gives sinful people the desire to please Him and serve and to learn more about Him.

Although, going through it, I’m reminded that I have failed in my walk as a believer in Christ. I don’t have enough moments in His Word. I don’t pray enough. I don’t make enough efforts to share my faith with others. I don’t love people the way I should. I don’t always have a desire to love people.

Is this discouraging to me?  Yes, and no. Yes it’s discouraging to know that I fail Him. That I don’t always walk according to His word. It’s discouraging that I don’t do the things I want to do, but still do the things I don’t want to do. But, it’s encouraging to know that God is still working on me because He continues to give me a desire to follow after Him, read about Him and to please Him. It’s encouraging to know that despite my sin, He’s faithful to restore me, even though I don’t deserve it.

It’s Sunday. A day I should be with fellow believers, but today it’s nice to know that I’m abiding with my Father. I understand that He’s my guide. That’s He’s called me to be his follower. It’s a huge calling, but I’m up for the challenge.

Pray for my family this week as we go through this study. Pray that we won’t be distracted and that we’ll make great progress in understand the truths of His Word.

Greg

Worship in silence can be moving

I knew today would be difficult. Sunday is my favorite day of the week. Today, I was dreading it.For those of you who know me, I love to sing. Not just to sing, but sing in worship of a Holy God. I really don’t enjoy it otherwise.

But, today was different. Today, I would be worshiping God WITHOUT singing, without talking, without verbally praying and even without whispering. I would be confessing sin, adoring God and praising whoGod is without a voice of any kind.

This is the second time in my life I’ve done this. But, it was a totally different response from my first. 16 years ago I went through a similar situation where I lost my voice and couldn’t participate in worship, but the whole time I kept feeling sorry for myself. Each second was focused on, “What if I never sing again? Will I ever be able to talk with a clear voice? What would happen to my career? God, I don’t understand.”

Today, I only asked that question once. And, the reply I heard was, “Greg, it’s NOT your voice. I gave it to you. I’m the one using it. I’m the one who gave you the idea to sing. I’m the one who gave you that gift. And, I’m the one who CAN and did take it away.” That’s when I said, “You’re right — who am I to say ANYTHING.” So, I spent the remainder of my time in church marveling at how incredible it is that I have a relationship with God at all.

The songs that were selected were ordained by God (as they are every Sunday). But, I sensed they were for me today. Each one made me turn to Christ. Each one reassured me that everything was okay because God is in TOTAL control. He’s not depending and waiting on me. He’s not putting his trust in a doctor’s ability to treat me. In fact, He’s ordained everything.

Then Bible study hour came and I think I may understand why trials come in people’s lives. Let me give you my perspective.

In 2 Peter 1:10 is says, “Therefore, be even more diligent to make your calling (salvation) sure.” In 2 Corinthians 13:5 is says, “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” While may say it’s a ‘sin’ to question your faith, the New Testament talks about it more than once. It looks like a command to me. The problem for me is, I really don’t WANT to. I don’t want to test my faith and force myself to question the foundation on which I stand. If I don’t want to, wouldn’t you think God is going to do something to FORCE me to do it?

I think so. I think because I like my comfortable world, God shakes it. He wants to see what I’m made of. He wants to test my faith, I’M suppose to be “diligent in making my calling sure.” He wants me to examine myself as to whether I’m in the faith. When He rocks our world with life changing moments we will either fall on our face before HIM (if we’re in the faith), or we’ll cry out with disgust to Him for making our lives miserable. He wants these moments to be precious times we won’t forget because they’re life changing.

When my friend Dan Cummings was struggling with cancer, I couldn’t understand how he could say his cancer was a blessing from God. I just couldn’t wrap my arms around that. NOW I CAN. I finally see that in Dan’s cancer, he was forced to be closer to God than he’d ever been. He understood that this was a test from God, not to be a mean God, but to put Dan in a position of total reliance on Him.

While my voice problem isn’t ANYTHING like cancer, my lack of voice could have a devastating effect on my career. But, for the first time I can honestly say — “this IS a blessing from God.” If it weren’t for my lack of voice, I wouldn’t have been able to witness one of the most incredible worship services ever. While I shed lots of tears, they weren’t self pity tears. They were tears of utter joy that God loves me so much. Why?  It’s only because of His Amazing Grace.

That’s not to say I won’t get frustrated. I’m human. But, now I understand what’s going on.

Tests completed — what a blessing

I would like to thank everyone who prayed for me as I was concerned about the problems I was having. I have had my coloniscopy and everything looked pretty good. The doctor did remove two small polyps. One un the upper part of my colin, the other in the lower part. These will be sent off to pathology to determine if everything is okay.

But, all in all — a good report. I was prepared for the worst. So, all is good in Yoder land.

But, I’d like to share a couple of things that I’ve learned from all of this.

1. Why was I worried? If I remember correctly, God IS sovereign over all things. That means He’s going to have His way in my life. If He decides to give me a disease and need to struggle with, He will do it. If He wants me to declare my trust in Him while I struggle with the unknown, He will do that, too.  I wonder about myself sometimes.

2. My relationship and conversation with Christ shouldn’t be dependant on the pains or pitfalls of life. While that seems to be the way it is with some relationships, I find myself crawling to Him when I need Him most, not every day. As a sinner, I continue to forget that my life is always in danger. It’s in danger of falling into sin. Unless I crawl to Him each day, how can I be ready for every day?

Well, not very profound, but that’s how I’m feeling at the moment.

God bless you!

Mission Network News in Russia-Moscow

Greg Yoder in MoscowMission Network News and Russian Ministries are teaming up to hand out gifts during Russian Christmas (which is January 7). MNN’s Anchor and Executive Director Greg Yoder, VP for Radio at Cornerstone University Lee Geysbeek and Greg’s Dad, Terry Yoder traveled to Russia on January 3 to participate in handing out Christmas gifts to poor, orphaned and street kids in Moscow and the Yemal Region of Russia. The team arrived on January 4 in Moscow. Instead of going right to bed after being up 27 hours, we decided to stay up and get used to the eight hour time difference. That took us to Red Square to see the sites and sounds of that historic place.

On January 5, we joined up with Nathan and headed south to the Tula region ofPastor Paul Russia, just 150 km away from Moscow where Russian Ministries is sponsoring a Winter Camp for orphans and street kids. This is being run by Christians in the region. They invited 20 orphans from this orphanage, 20 from another and 20 street kids to this 10 camp. The goal of the camp is to spend time with these neglected kids, show them love and compassion and win the opportunity to tell them about Christ. It’s a ministry that’s not very accepted by the local church because of the stigma that comes with orphans and street kids. Pictured here is Pastor Paul who started the ministry. This is the second winter camp they’ve hosted.

Nastia, a worker with the ministryThis is Nastia. She’s been working part time with the outreach for about a year, while she attends university in Moscow. She has an incredible love for these kids who are often forgotten. She says it’s a challenge because the kids don’t respond right way. They don’t understand they need God. They also don’t understand God loves them since most of them have been abused and neglected by adults and not loved by society. Nastia, in many cases, is the first person to show these young people respect and love.

Girl and boyIt was great to see these kids enjoying their time at the camp. They received gifts, played games, learned drama with Scripture as their script, participated in martial arts, ate well, learned how to play the guitar, cross country skied and much more. It’s uncertain if this ministry will have any spiritual impact on these kids, but one thing is for certain — they were off the streets for 10 days and experienced love first hand.

Lee playing TwisterSome of the team also got involved. Lee Geysbeek played Twister with the kids and didn’t ‘squash’ either kid shown here. Continue to pray for our safety. We traveled back to Moscow and today will be flying northeast to Salakhard in the arctic circle to do more of the same.

An interesting holiday

Well, Thanksgiving is over. It sure was a different holiday this year. We spent Thanksgiving Day at my Mom and Dad’s house. Both sisters were there along with most of their kids.  My daughter Anastasia was there, but my other kids weren’t.

On Friday, we traveled five hours to New York to visit with them. My wife ended up cooking ANOTHER Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday and we all celebrated Thanksgiving again.

I did have a fun experience. My son John has a Nintendo Wii. Wow, what fun. I loved tennis and bowling and I HATE those games in real life. I’m still sore from playing those games.  But, I’m recovering.

In terms of my health — well, I returned to playing basketball this week. I was 100-percent, but I did okay. I made life difficult for the guys I guarded. So, that’s good. Today I even made a key three pionter and posted-up and made a few on a guy who thought he would own me.  That was fun. I’m still having spells of lightheadedness, but the neurologist today said there’s nothing she can see that’s wrong with me. So, that’s good news. But, just to be sure they’ve scheduled me for an MRI and an MRA.

I’m getting ready to decorate the house for Christmas.  I love this time of year. I’ll post more on this later.

MSU wins — Lions losing

What an incredible day Saturday and Sunday.  It was great to be able to function yesterday. I went to choir practice at church, mowed the lawn and enjoyed the Michigan State football team win — beating Penn State. The only thing that would make it better is having a great day of worship, preaching, and Lions winning.

However, the Lions are not winning. So, it’ll only be a 3/4 of a good day.  I sure wish the Lions would show up on days they need to show up.